PHS: The year in review:2012, cont.

Friday

Dec 28, 2012 at 9:50 AMDec 28, 2012 at 10:06 AM

Greenback sports continued to do well in the spring of 2012.

Neil DePew

Greenback sports continued to do well in the spring of 2012. The spring 2012 Pratt High School girls softball team put together one of the best seasons in school history. They went 20-0 in the regular season, earning undefeated Central Kansas League champion honors. Drawing a bye in the opening round and then winning two games in a regional they hosted earned them the regional championship. Pictured at left, the squad, their coaches and managers pose with their regional championship trophy. Sporting a 22-0 record, PHS went to the state tournament. There, they lost in the opening round to the DeSoto Wildcats to bring their fairy tale season to a close. Along the way, the girls set school records for consecutive wins (23); team fielding % .975 (only committing 11 errors on the season); team ERA (0.96); and team RBIs (186.) By any measure, the 2012 Greenback softball team was one for the record books and had special accomplishments.

The boys baseball team had an stellar campaign that was abruptly short-circuited in regional. In a regular season that saw the Greenbacks compile a terrific 17-1 record, PHS also captured the Central Kansas League crown in baseball. Receiving a high seed in regional, PHS was knocked out of contention by an underrated Nickerson squad in the semis. PHS finished with an 18-2 mark. Among Greenbacks receiving post-season honors were BJ Dean, Skylar Dean and Easton Herring. BJ Dean was the only Greenback to graduate off last year’s team, so that bodes well for the upcoming season.

The boys tennis team had a good season in the spring of 2012, placing well in regular season tournaments and advancing into the post-season. The team took third in the tough Central Kansas League and then captured 3rd as a team in the regional. Liam Kahmeyer took 3rd and Thomas Mayberry 4th in singles at regional. At state, the team finished 13th. Liam Kahmeyer was a qualifier and Thomas Mayberry medaled in 10th place in singles. Another outstanding spirit squad was fielded by head cheer sponsor Susan Pixler. in addition to numerous honors garnered by the girls at summer camp, a highlight for the cheerleaders was leading the effort toward Pratt High School earning the sportsmanship award at the 4A girls state basketball tournament. The spirit squad was instrumental in keeping school spirit up while maintaining good sportsmanship.

In a class brimming with outstanding athletes, two were chosen to represent the class of 2012. Those were Aubrey Hoover and Payson Maydew. Hoover was a much-decorated volleyball and basketball player, and was a key member of the girls track team that captured third place at the 4A state meet. Hoover went on to play collegiate volleyball at McPherson College.Maydew excelled at football and basketball for the Greenbacks, where he was instrumental in the boys basketball undefeated regular season and 4A 4th place. A versatile track performer, Maydew earned state berths in the hurdle races and went on to Emporia State as a track and field decathlete.